‘Life changing’ tour for Dinnington kids

The group travelled to Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, taking on the locals in various sports and seeing world famous sights like Niagara Falls.

Football, rugby, netball and hockey sides from Notre Dame, Quebec, Eastern Ontario and Erin Mill Eagles provided the opposition for the local kids, who did their school and town proud with some fantastic performances.

Student Liam Braithwaite, designated tour reporter and footballer, told the Guardian: “I am positive if you saw the performances you would be proud of Dinnington Comprehensive, as a player I know I am.”

“In some games we may not have got the victories we wanted, but that meant nothing, it was all about the team-work and determination.”

The trip, a brainchild of PE teacher Dana Abdulkarim, also included visits to the CN Tower, the 1976 Montreal Olympic park and Niagara Falls.

Braithwaite said every student was able to take something away from the tour.

He added: “This was not just a sports tour; it was a life changing opportunity we all took full advantage of.”

“It has helped so many people face fears and build confidence.”

“I and all of the team cannot thank everyone who helped fulfil our dream enough, you made this tour we just played it.”